Liquid sampling apparatus

Abstract

Applicant's invention is of an improved liquid sampling apparatus designed for collection of liquid, typically water, for sampling purposes. The improvement to existing bailer designs lies in re-contouring the proximal and distal surfaces to avoid the potentially costly effects of a presently available bailer's angular margins lodging against irregularities on the surface of well casings. The terminal ends of Applicant's bailer are generally dome-shaped, thereby eliminating angular margins which can engage surrounding protrusions or obstructions and intractably lodge the bailer in a well casing.

I claim: 
     
       1. A liquid sampling apparatus comprising: an elongate, substantially cylindrical conduit member having first and second conduit ends;   a first conduit member terminus, said first conduit member terminus being shaped to generally define a first convex dome extending outwardly from said conduit member at said first conduit end, said first convex dome portion of said first conduit member terminus being substantially centered on the longitudinal axis of symmetry of said conduit member, said convex dome portion having cord attachment means;   a second conduit member terminus, said second conduit member terminus being shaped to generally define a second convex dome extending outwardly from said conduit member at said second conduit end, said second convex dome portion of said second conduit member terminus being substantially centered on the longitudinal axis of symmetry of said conduit member, said second conduit member terminus having an in-take orifice defined therethrough and a valve member for valving passage of fluid through said in-take orifice.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cord attachment means consists of first and second attachment orifices defined through said dome portion of said first conduit member terminus and separated by a portion of said dome portion of said first conduit member terminus, whereby a terminal end of an elongate cording member may pass into said apparatus through said first attachment orifice and exit said apparatus through said second attachment orifice whereafter said terminal end of said cording member may be secured to a medial portion of said cording member to secure an attachment between said cording member and said apparatus. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first terminus member is a removable cap-like member having a first nesting lip extending from the circumferential margin of said first convex dome, said first nesting lip being configured for reversibly, slidably and snugly nesting within said conduit member at said first conduit member end for reversibly attaching said first terminus member to said conduit member. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second terminus member is a removable cap-like member having a second nesting lip extending from the circumferential margin of said second convex dome, said second nesting lip being configured for reversibly, slidably and snugly nesting within said conduit member at said second conduit member end for reversibly attaching said second terminus member to said conduit member. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said in-take orifice is defined by said second convex dome whereby said in-take orifice is centered on an axis of symmetry of said second convex dome.